Convert sextant to degree

sextant

Definition: Sextant is a measure of plane angle or rotation. For conversion purposes, its value is 60 times the reference unit, degree.

degree

Definition: A degree (symbol: °) is a unit of angular measurement defined by a full rotation of 360 degrees. Because a full rotation equals 2π radians, one degree is equivalent to π/180 radians. Although a degree is not an SI (International System of Units) unit, it is an accepted unit within the SI brochure.

History/origin: The origin of the degree as a unit of rotation and angles is not clear. One of the theories suggests that 360 is readily divisible, has 24 divisors, and is divisible by every number from one to ten, except for seven, making the number 360 a versatile option for use as an angle measure.

Current use: The degree is widely used when referencing angular measures. While the degree might be more prevalent in common usage, and many people have a more practical understanding of angles in terms of degrees, the radian is the preferred measurement of angle for most math applications. This is because the radian is based on the number π which is heavily used throughout mathematics, while the degree is largely based on the arbitrary choice of 360 degrees dividing a circle.